Configurable polarimetric phased array transceiver architecture

ABSTRACT

A method and system of a configurable phased array transceiver are provided. A first beamforming unit is configured to provide a first beam. A second beamforming unit is configured to provide a second beam. A first bi-directional power controller is configured to combine or to split the first beam and the second beam. Each beamforming unit comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF) front-ends, each front-end being configured to transmit and receive RF signals. Each beam is independently configurable to operate in a transmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present application generally relates to telecommunication systems,and more particularly, to low latency and high data rate communicationsystems.

Description of the Related Art

Next generation mobile technology, such as 5G technology, continuouslystrives to provide an improved experience through higher data rates,lower latency, and improved link robustness. To that end, phased arraysoffer a path to support multiple users with high data rates usinghigh-bandwidth directional links between the base station and mobiledevices. A phased array is an array of antennas where the relative phaseof each antenna is configured such that the effective radiation patternof the combined array is reinforced in a target direction and attenuatedin undesired directions. This radiation pattern of the array iselectronically steerable to form a focused beam in a particulardirection. Accordingly, multiple antennas, work together to form asingle unidirectional antenna.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a configurablephased array transceiver is provided. A first beamforming unit isconfigured to provide a first beam. A second beamforming unit isconfigured to provide a second beam. A first bi-directional powercontroller is configured to combine or to split the first beam and thesecond beam. Each beamforming unit comprises a plurality of radiofrequency (RF) front-ends, each front-end being configured to transmitor receive RF signals. Each beamforming unit is independentlyconfigurable to operate in a transmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode. Afull array (e.g., with two or more beamformers and power controllers)can have one or more beamformers operating in one mode (e.g., TX) whilethe other one or more beamformers operate in the opposite mode (e.g.,RX).

In one embodiment, there is a third beamforming unit configured toprovide a third beam, and a fourth beamforming unit configured toprovide a fourth beam. There is a second bi-directional power controllerconfigured to combine or to split the third beam and the fourth beam.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofproviding a configurable phased array transceiver, is provided. A firstbeam is provided via a first beamforming unit. A second beam is providedvia a second beamforming unit. A first bi-directional power controlleris configured to combine or to split the first beam and the second beam.Each beamforming unit comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF)front-ends, each front-end being configured to transmit and receive RFsignals. Each beam is independently configurable to operate in atransmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode.

In other embodiments, additional beamforming elements are provided.There are additional one or more bi-directional power controllers thatare configured to combine or to split the additional signals from theadditional beamforming elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures, in which the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram of a configurable phase array,consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an example floorplan of a sixteen-element array for eachpolarization plane, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3. illustrates an example table for the different configurations ofthe architecture of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an example front end (FE) configured to control an antenna atits output, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an example power controller that may be used betweenbeamforming units, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a combiner tree that can combine the power of several tiers ofbeamforming units, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present teachings may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components,and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, withoutdetail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentteachings.

The exemplary embodiments described herein provide improved wirelessexperience through higher data rates, lower latency, and improved linkrobustness. To that end, mmWave phased arrays support multiple users athigh data rates using high-bandwidth directional links between the basestation and mobile devices. A phased array-based pico-cell supports alarge number of precisely controlled beams, while being compact andpower efficient. The teachings herein provide scalability of the RadioFrequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC)+antenna-array solution, flexibilityto provide a number of concurrent beams, and support for dualpolarization. As used herein, the term polarization refers to theorientation of the electric field of the radio wave with respect to theEarth's surface.

While phased arrays supporting concurrent dual-polarized receiver (RX)operation and Si-based scaling may exist, concurrent dual polarizedoperation in both TX and RX modes remains unaddressed. In oneembodiment, the RFIC discussed herein supports simultaneousdual-polarized operation in TX and RX modes, as well as configurablenumber of beams and antenna elements per beam. The overall solution iscompatible with a volume-efficient, scaled, antenna-in-package arraysolution. Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated inthe accompanying drawings and discussed below.

Example Architecture

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram of a configurable phase array 100,consistent with an illustrative embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1,the architecture of the phased array 100 is separated into twopolarization planes, namely horizontal (i.e., on the left side) andvertical (i.e., on the right side). By way of example only, and not byway of limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates four independent eight elementtransceiver (TRX) beamforming units, while it will be understood thatthere could be M number of beamforming units, each having an N number ofbeamforming units.

Each beamforming unit is bidirectional in that it can both transmit andreceive signals. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 1, four independentbeams can be supported simultaneously. For example, two can be operatedin transmit (TX) mode and two can operated in receive (RX) mode. Inanother example, all four beams may be in TX mode or all in RX mode.Other combinations are discussed in more detail later.

As used herein, the term “beamforming” refers to a signal processingtechnique that uses antenna arrays for directional signal transmissionor reception. This technique is achieved by combining elements in aphased array in such a way that signals at particular angles experienceconstructive interference while others experience destructiveinterference. Thus, an array of antennas controlled by a beamformerelement are configured to operate as a single antenna for a desireddirection without any mechanically moving parts.

Beamforming can be used at both the transmitting and receiving ends inorder to achieve spatial selectivity. For example, to change thedirection of the array when transmitting, a beamformer element controlsthe phase and relative amplitude of the signal at each transmitter, inorder to create a pattern of constructive and destructive interferencein the wavefront. When receiving, information from different sensors iscombined in a way where the expected pattern of radiation is observed.

Each beamforming unit (102A, 104A, 102B, and 104B) is configured toprovide a beam, which may be independent. Each beamforming unitcomprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF) front-ends, wherein eachis configured to transmit and receive RF signals. In one embodiment, thetransmit and receive functions are supported in a time divisionduplexing (TDD) architecture for each front end. Each front-end providesan independent port to an antenna. Simultaneous TX and RX is possible atthe array level. Additional features of a beamforming unit are discussedin detail later.

Each polarization plane includes a bidirectional power controller,sometimes referred to herein simply as a controller. Each controller120A and 120B is configured to combine or to split beams. For example,controller 120A can combine a beam from the beamforming unit 102A with abeam from the beamforming unit 104A. Controller 120A is also configuredto split the beams from beamforming units 102A. To that end, eachbeamforming unit includes a first switch 106 coupled to the firstbeamforming unit 102 and a second switch 110 coupled to the coupled tothe first beamforming unit 104. There is a splitter coupled between afirst input of the first switch 106 and a first input of the secondswitch 110. The splitter 108 is configured to split an incomingtransmission signal and provide it to the first switch 106 and thesecond switch 110. In various embodiments, the splitter can be passiveor active. There is a combiner 112 coupled between the second input ofthe first switch 106 and the second input of the second switch 110. Thecombiner 112 is configured combine the beam from the first beamformingunit 102 with that of the second beamforming unit 104 to provide a morepowerful and focused single beam.

For example, for the left polarization plane, when the controller 120Acombines the beam from the first beamforming unit 102A with that of thesecond beamforming unit 104A, a more powerful and focused beam iscreated that has the potential of traveling a longer distance. However,if the controller 120A splits the beam from the first beamforming unit102A from the second beamforming unit 104A, two separate independentbeams are provided that can communicate with a separate base station.Accordingly, by using the architecture described herein, configurabilityis provided that offers the flexibility of a tradeoff betweenpower/precision versus a number of less powerful beams to beimplemented.

Reference now is made to FIG. 2, which is an example floorplan of asixteen element array for each polarization plane, consistent with anillustrative embodiment. The horizontal polarization plane 201A isillustrated to be above the vertical polarization plane 201B fordiscussion purposes only, not by way of limitation. In variousembodiments, the polarization planes may be stacked on top of oneanother or may be adjacent, depending on the technology used.

The left half of each polarization plane is substantially similar to theright half. Further, each polarization plane is substantially similar.Accordingly, the discussion will focus on the horizontal polarizationplane 201A, while it will be understood that the vertical polarizationplane 201B has a substantially similar architecture.

In the example of FIG. 2, each polarization plane has two beamformingunits, each beamforming unit comprising eight front-ends (FEs), eachwith its corresponding antenna. For example, FE-1 to FE-8 are coupled toantennas 231 to 238, respectively. Each side of a polarization plane hasa summation element 262 and 264, respectively. Each summation element(e.g., 262) has an interface for its corresponding front end (e.g., FE-1to FE-8). Each summation element is bidirectional in that it isconfigured to receive signals from the antenna via its correspondingfront, and to provide signals to each front end, such that itscorresponding antenna can transmit desired signals.

The architecture of FIG. 2 may be a monolithic RFIC that includes 2independent 16-element phased array transceivers (TRX), enabling twosimultaneous and independent 16-element beams in either TX or RX mode.These 16×2 radio frequency (RF) ports can be configured to interfacewith 16 dual-polarized in-package antennas to create simultaneous H andV polarization beams, or with 32 single-polarized antennas to create anarrower 32-element beam. To realize a compact overall solution, the ICmay use an RF-phase shifting architecture that minimizes the number ofcircuit components.

In one embodiment, each transceiver FE couples to an antenna port(either H or V polarization). TX and RX functions in the FE share asingle passive radio frequency (RF) phase shifter and TDD operation(alternating between TX and RX modes of operation) is accomplished byusing three T/R switches (e.g., the IC of FIG. 2 may use a 2-step,sliding-IF frequency conversion architecture with a 28 GHz RF, 8 GHzinternal intermediate frequency (IF), and 3 GHz external IF). The twopolarization planes share a 5 GHz input that is multiplied to 20 GHz tocreate the RF-LO, and is then divided to 10 GHz to create the IF-LO. Thephased array combining/splitting is achieved in two steps: (i) 2 sets of8 signals are combined/split at RF using Wilkinson combiner/splitters;(ii) these 2 sets are further combined/split in the current domain atthe 8 GHz internal IF. At the nominal cost of an extra mixer per path,this 8×2 architecture achieves higher linearity since the RF mixershandle only 8 combined signals as compared to 16 combined signals in themost hardware efficient 16×1 solution.

FIG. 3. illustrates an example table for the different configurations ofthe architecture of FIG. 1. Table 300 lists the four beam forming unitsBF1 (H), BF2 (H), BF3 (V), and BF4(V), which for discussion purposes canbe related to the beamforming units 102A, 104A, 102B, and 104B of FIG.1, respectively.

In a first configuration, both polarization planes are configured to bein a transmit mode (TX) or a receive mode (RX). Accordingly, a single32-element TX or RX beam can be formed if a second tier controller isused, discussed in more detail later. Accordingly, a high power andfocused unidirectional beam is provided in the first configuration,which trades off the number of independent beams for power andprecision.

In the second configuration, part of the beam forming units areconfigured to transmit, while others are in receive state. For example,BF1(H) and BF3(V) are configured to be in TX mode, whereas BF2 (H) andBF4(V) are configured to be in RX mode. Accordingly, four simultaneousbeams (i.e., two 8 element RX, and two 8 element TX) can be provided.Accordingly, more independent beams are provided having the tradeoff ofreduced power and precision.

It should be noted that the number of beams that are in transmit modecan be the same or different from the number in receive mode. To thatend, the third configuration is a scenario where there are threesimultaneous beams, namely a single 16 element TX or RX, one 8 elementRx and one 8 element TX. For example, BF1(H) and BF2 (H) are in TX or RXmode to provide a single 16 element focused beam. Two additionalindependent beams are provided by BF3(V) (i.e., in TX) and BF4 (V) inRX. In this way, BF1(H) and BF2(H) can provide a more powerful andfocused beam for its communication, whereas, the remainder of thebandwidth is allocated to less focused and less powerful communicationvia BF3(V) and BF4(V).

Thus, by virtue of the configurability discussed herein, a phased arraytransceiver can be implemented that is configurable to providedirectional communication in one or more predetermined directionssimultaneously. Put differently, all antennas can be used to form asingle beam, thereby creating a powerful and narrowly focused beam.Alternatively, the antennas can be divided into different configurationsto provide multiple independent beams simultaneously, wherein each beamcan be focused in a different direction. The larger the number ofindependent beams that are implemented, the less narrow the focus ofeach beam, which, in many applications, is an acceptable tradeoff toachieve such degree of flexibility. For example, a user equipment havinga phased array may be used to communicate with several other userequipment (or receivers) simultaneously, that may be in close proximity(e.g., at a sports stadium). The same user equipment may later be usedto provide clear communication with a base station that is relativelyfurther away by reconfiguring the phased array to provide a singlepowerful and focused beam.

FIG. 4 is an example front end (FE) configured to control an antenna atits output 420, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. The FE 400includes a transmit path 430 and a receive path 440. The receive (RX)path 440 accepts a signal from the antenna, which is guided by thetransmission line switch 410 to one or more low noise amplifiers 412 anda variable gain amplifier 416. In one embodiment, the low noiseamplifier 412 is of common emitter type. The variable gain amplifier(406 and 416) may include the function of a 1-bit 180° phase shifter.The second switch 404 guides the amplified signal to the phase shifter402 to the summation element. In one embodiment, the second transmissionline switch 404 is of λ/4 type. The phase shifter 402 is configured tophase shift the received signal to implement the correct beam steeringparameters. In one embodiment, the phase shifter 402 is a transmissionline based loss invariant 5 bit 5° phase shifter.

In one embodiment, the FE 400 enables superior beam control throughorthogonal control of the phase and amplitude. For example, using 1-bit180° active phase shifters provided by VGA 406 and 416, respectively, inTX and RX paths, and a shared 5-bit passive phase shifter 402, the FEachieves >400° phase shift in ˜5° steps, with <1° RMS error, and <1.5 dBamplitude variation. Gain control in TX and RX is achieved using aphase-invariant, differential VGA 406 and 416, providing >11 dB rangewith <3° phase variation. Phase invariance is achieved using a techniqueinherent to BJT device operation.

The transmit (TX) path 430 guides a signal from the phase shifter 402,through the transmission line switch 404 through the variable gainamplifier 406 and one or more power amplifiers (e.g., in cascade) 408 tothe second transmission line 410 to the output 420 coupled to theantenna. In one embodiment, the variable gain amplifier 406 of thetransmit path 430 is substantially similar to that of the receive path440 discussed above.

Reference now is made to FIG. 5, which is an example power controllerthat may be used between two halves of a polarization slice, consistentwith an illustrative embodiment. The controller 500 includes a left halfand a right half, which include features that are mutually similar.Accordingly, aspects of the controller 500 will be discussed in thecontext of the left half and not repeated for the right half, forbrevity.

The controller 500 is coupled to a summation element 502A having a portfor each front end that it controls, similar to that of FIG. 4 describedpreviously. In the example of FIG. 5, each summation element 502A and502B includes eight paths to receive and/or provide signals to itscorresponding front end. Each half includes a switch (e.g., 509A and509B) operative to steer the signal from its corresponding summationelement 502A and 502B in a first direction (i.e., up), therebyactivating a combination mode of the controller 500. Alternatively, theswitch 509A can steer the signal from its corresponding summationelement 502A in a second direction (i.e., down), thereby activating asplitter mode of the controller 500.

When in combination mode, the path created by the switch 509A is betweenthe summation element 502A, a mixer 506A operative to mix the oscillatorinput with the output of the amplifier 508A, down converting the signalfrom RF to an IF frequency, and a third summation element 504 operativeto combine the signal from the left summation element 502A and the rightsummation element 502B (i.e., if switch 509B steers the signal from itscorresponding summation element 502B to the same third summation element504). In one embodiment, there is an amplifier 508A coupled between theswitch 509A and the mixer 506A, which is operative to amplify the signalprovided by the summation element 502A.

However, when in splitter mode, the path created by the switch 509A isbetween the summation element 502A and a mixer 512A that is operative tomix the oscillator input with the transmission input signal 540upconverting this signal from an IF to an RF frequency. In oneembodiment, there is a high pass filter 510A coupled between the switch509A and the mixer 512A in order to filter the signal to be transmitted.Accordingly, the amplifier 508A and the high pass filter 510A areoptional components. In some embodiments, these components could bereplaced with signal conditioning blocks or removed altogether.

Significantly, switches 509A and 509B need not steer the signal from itscorresponding summation element into the same direction. Rather, oneswitch (e.g., 509A) may steer its signal in a first direction, while thesecond switch (e.g., 509B) may steer its signal in a second direction.In this way, the controller provides the configurability discussed inthe context of table 300.

Further, in one embodiment, in order to reduce power consumption andincrease isolation, up-conversion mixer 512A (or 512B) is powered downwhen switch 509A (or 509B, respectively,) steers the signal towards thereceiver path. Similarly, in one embodiment, down-conversion mixer 506A(or 506B) and amplifier 508A (or 508B, respectively, if either of theseis included) is powered down when switch 509A (or 509B, respectively,)steers the signal towards the transmitter path.

It should be noted that as the number of elements in an array grows, thedynamic range requirements become more stringent since the amplitude ofthe combined signal in receiver mode grows. Further, by virtue of thearchitecture of FIG. 5, even at high frequencies, better linearity canbe achieved. That is because at lower frequencies it is easier toimplement circuits with higher linearity, where the final signalcombining occurs. Accordingly, the architecture of FIG. 5 provides lessdemanding linearity requirements for the mixer and overall betterlinearity performance for the phased array.

FIG. 6 is a combiner tree that can combine the power of several tiers ofbeamforming units, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 6illustrates M beam forming units, each including N elements. Each pairof beam forming units has a corresponding controller. For example,beamforming units 602 and 604 have a controller 606, beamforming units608 and 610 have a controller 612, etc. There is a second tiercontroller 620 configured combine the power of the beamforming units602, 604, 608, and 610.

Each controller is configured to combine or to split beams from itscorresponding pair of beamforming units. For example, controller 606 cancombine a beam from the beamforming unit 602 with a beam from thebeamforming unit 604. Controller 606 is also configured to split thebeams from beamforming units 602 and 604.

If there are additional pairs of beamforming units, there may beadditional first tier controllers, represented by controller 614, thatare operative to combine the power of the corresponding beamformingunits. Similarly, there may be additional second tier controllers,represented by way of example by controller 622, which are configured tocombine the power of the corresponding beamforming units. Thus, theremay be one or more third tier controllers (e.g., 630) and fourth tiercontrollers (not shown) as part of the power tree 600 that are operativeto consolidate the power and focus of the beamforming units.

CONCLUSION

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present teachingshave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the beststate and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied in numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages thathave been discussed herein are merely illustrative. None of them, northe discussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection. While various advantages have been discussed herein, it willbe understood that not all embodiments necessarily include alladvantages. Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings,positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are setforth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, areapproximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable rangethat is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with whatis customary in the art to which they pertain.

Unless otherwise stated, any measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain. For example, the measurements herein maybe preliminary and provided as an example of performance to illustratevarious aspects of the architecture and techniques.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated orillustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedicationof any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, orequivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recitedin the claims.

While the foregoing has been described in conjunction with exemplaryembodiments, it is understood that the term “exemplary” is merely meantas an example, rather than the best or optimal. Except as statedimmediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated isintended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of anycomponent, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent tothe public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein havethe ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions withrespect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and studyexcept where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,”or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements does not include only those elements butmay include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or“an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises the element.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A configurable phased array transceiver,comprising: a first beamforming unit configured to provide a first beam;a second beamforming unit configured to provide a second beam; and afirst bi-directional power controller configured to combine the firstbeam and the second beam into a single output or to split a singletransmit input into two signals, one for each beam forming unit, whereineach beamforming unit comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF)front-ends, each front-end being configured to transmit or receive RFsignals, and wherein each beamforming unit is independently configurableto operate in a transmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode, and wherein thefirst bi-directional power controller comprises: a first switch coupledto the first beamforming unit a second switch coupled to the secondbeamforming unit a splitter coupled between the first switch and thesecond switch and operative to provide a transmit path; and a combinercoupled between the first switch and the second switch and operative toprovide a receive path.
 2. The configurable phased array transceiver ofclaim 1, further comprising: a third beamforming unit configured toprovide a third beam; a fourth beamforming unit configured to provide afourth beam; and a second bi-directional power controller configured tocombine the third beam and the fourth beam or to split a second singletransmit input into two signals, one for the third beamforming unit andone for the fourth beamforming unit.
 3. The configurable phased arraytransceiver of claim 2, wherein: each beamforming unit includes Nfront-end elements; and the first and second bi-directional powercontrollers are configured to provide one of: two simultaneous 2 X Nelement beams both in transmit or receive mode; four simultaneous beamscomprising two N element beams in receive mode and two N element intransmit mode; and three simultaneous beams comprising one 2 X N elementbeam in transmit or receive mode, one N element in receive mode and oneN element in transmit mode.
 4. The configurable phased array transceiverof claim 2, wherein: the first and second beamforming units areconfigured to provide signals on a horizontal polarization plane; thethird and fourth beamforming units are configured to provide signals ona vertical polarization plane; and signal paths of the first and secondbeamforming units are independent from signal paths of the third andfourth beamforming units.
 5. The configurable phased array transceiverof claim 4, wherein: the first and second beamforming units beingconfigured to provide the signal on the horizontal polarization planecomprises: the first and second beamforming units being configured toprovide an independent signal path for horizontal antenna ports of eachRF front-end of the first and second beamforming units; and the thirdand fourth beamforming units being configured to provide the signal onthe vertical polarization plane comprises the third and fourthbeamforming units being configured to provide an independent signal pathfor vertical antenna ports of each RF front-end of the third and fourthbeamforming units.
 6. The configurable phased array transceiver of claim4, wherein each beamforming unit is bi-directional.
 7. The configurablephased array transceiver of claim 1, wherein the phased arraytransceiver is configured to transmit and receive signalssimultaneously.
 8. The configurable phased array transceiver of claim 1,wherein the TX and RX modes are supported in a time division duplex(TDD) architecture.
 9. The configurable phased array transceiver ofclaim 1, wherein each front-end comprises: a first switch coupled to anantenna; a receive (RX) path coupled between the first switch and asecond switch, the RX path comprising: one or more low noise amplifierscoupled to the first switch; and a first variable gain amplifier coupledbetween the second switch and the one or more low noise amplifiers; atransmit (TX) path coupled between the first switch and the secondswitch, the RX path comprising: a second variable gain amplifier coupledto the switch; and one or more power amplifiers coupled between thesecond variable gain amplifier and the first switch; and a phase shiftercoupled between the second switch and a summation element.
 10. Theconfigurable phased array transceiver of claim 9, wherein the first andsecond variable gain amplifiers each provide a 1-bit 180° phase shift.11. The configurable phased array transceiver of claim 9, wherein thephase shifter is a transmission line based loss invariant 5 bit 5° phaseshifter.
 12. The configurable phased array transceiver of claim 9,wherein the one or more power amplifiers are in cascode.
 13. Theconfigurable phased array transceiver of claim 12, wherein the secondbi-directional power controller comprises: a third switch coupled to thethird beamforming unit; a fourth switch coupled to the fourthbeamforming unit; a splitter coupled between the third switch and thefourth switch and operative to provide a transmit path; and a combinercoupled between the third switch and the fourth switch and operative toprovide a receive path.
 14. A method of providing a configurable phasedarray transceiver, comprising: providing a first beam via a firstbeamforming unit; providing a second beam via a second beamforming unit;providing a first bi-directional power controller configured to combinethe first beam and the second beam or to split a single transmit inputinto two signals, one for each beamforming unit; providing a third beamvia a third beamforming unit; providing a fourth beam via a fourthbeamforming unit; and providing a second bi-directional power controllerconfigured to combine the third beam and the fourth beam or to split asecond single transmit input into two signals, one for the thirdbeamforming unit and one for the fourth beamforming unit, wherein eachbeamforming unit comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF)front-ends, each front-end configured to transmit and receive RFsignals, wherein each beamforming unit is independently configurable tooperate in a transmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode, wherein the first andsecond beamforming units provide signals on a horizontal polarizationplane; wherein the third and fourth beamforming units provide signals ona vertical polarization plane; and wherein signal paths of the first andsecond beamforming units are independent from signal paths of the thirdand fourth beamforming units.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein:providing the signals on the horizontal polarization plane comprises:the first and second beamforming units providing an independent signalpath for horizontal antenna ports of each RF front-end of the first andsecond beamforming units; and providing the signals on the verticalpolarization plane comprises: the third and fourth beamforming unitsproviding an independent signal path for vertical antenna ports of eachRF front-end of the third and fourth beamforming units.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein the phased array transceiver is configured totransmit and receive signals simultaneously.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein the TX and RX modes are provided via a time division duplex(TDD) architecture.
 18. A configurable phased array transceiver,comprising: a first beamforming unit configured to provide a first beam;a second beamforming unit configured to provide a second beam; a firstbi-directional power controller configured to combine the first beam andthe second beam into a single output or to split a single transmit inputinto two signals, one for each beam forming unit; a third beamformingunit configured to provide a third beam; a fourth beamforming unitconfigured to provide a fourth beam; and a second bi-directional powercontroller configured to combine the third beam and the fourth beam orto split a second single transmit input into two signals, one for thethird beamforming unit and one for the fourth beamforming unit, whereineach beamforming unit comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF)front-ends, each front-end being configured to transmit or receive RFsignals, wherein each beamforming unit is independently configurable tooperate in a transmit (TX) or a receive (RX) mode, wherein the first andsecond beamforming units are configured to provide signals on ahorizontal polarization plane, wherein the third and fourth beamformingunits are configured to provide signals on a vertical polarizationplane, and wherein signal paths of the first and second beamformingunits are independent from signal paths of the third and fourthbeamforming units.